Carry On England (1976)

I have just watched this on DVD - one feels obliged having been given the box set - and yes, it's still terrible. Whilst I would in no way wish to defend it, I would take issue with the following earlier comments:1) Although Sid was a big miss (as were Kenny and Charlie), how would he have improved the film? He wouldn't have improved on Windsor Davies' definitive Sergeant Major, and frankly there wasn't really anything else he could have done. I also think he might well have been losing his edge by then anyway: the performance in Carry On Dick was well below par, in particular contrast to Don't Lose Your Head of which it had many echoes.2) Peter Butterworth's apparent boredom may have been in character: he was after all being bored constantly by the Brigadier's witticisms. He may equally have been bored with the film, one can't really tell.3) Major discovery - THERE IS ACTUALLY A FUNNY LINE. It's well hidden and one has to be a certain demographic (ie over 45 and British) to appreciate it fully. Towards the end, as they are running to the gun, one can just pick out Windsor Davies' encouragement: "Sixpence for every one you shoot down. Two bob if it's a German!" One can imagine that being said in reality at the time.Shame about the preceding 80 minutes though.

This is easily the closes you will get to Kubrick's 'Dr Strangelove' deep performances from a skilled cast. Yes, many of the original team are missing, but what a wonderful show. The attention to period costume is remarkable considering the small budget. The wit of the dialogue far outshines some of Oscar Wildes later work. It is a great satire, you could compare it to 'All quiet on the Western Front' but with a rich sense of humour. It takes the death aspect out of war, and that can only be a good thing. I was particularly amused by this bawdy romp through the humorous side of World War II. Those were the days. When you see this it makes you long for a Third World War, what a jolly good laugh that could be! Bravo!Ten out of ten! Fantastic entertainment!

Possibly the worst British comedy film I have ever seen. Firstly, Sid James was the heart and soul of these films. They had no business going on after he passed. Second, there were no outstanding performances in this film, with one exception. Long time Carry On matron Joan Sims had a part in this film that really was unworthy of her, the same for Kenneth Connor who I absolutely loved as the funeral director with a weak heart in 'Allo 'Allo. Judy Geeson was as beautiful as ever she was in any other film, but her character wasn't well written in my opinion and Patrick Mower seemed to me to keep trying to come off as a younger, randier Reg Varney from On The Buses. In fact, I felt as though I were watching an episode of On The Buses many times in this film. The brand of humor was very similar. A bit too similar. The way the men and women were always nipping off for a good time was too much like Stan and Jack with the clippies. The only stand out performance in this film has to be Windsor Davies as the beleaguered Sgt Major, wanting to obey Capt. Melly's orders but knowing full well that the 'soldiers' will retaliate if pushed too far. They even recycled the only almost funny gag in the film. The first time Cap. Melly get's tripped into a pile of excrement, it's almost funny, the second time, it's already boring. The business with the men and women sneaking around for amorous encounters throughout the film is more worthy of a teen summer camp film, not a film starring adults who are supposed to be operating an anti-aircraft battery during WW2.

Undoubtedly the WORST out of all the 'Carry On' films. Yes, it IS as bad as everyone seems to think! No Sid James or Kenneth Williams. Enough said!In fact, there is only or two 'original' actors in this film, and even they aren't the 'famous' ones that come to mind when you think of "Carry On'. The film's script is useless, the acting is pathetic and it seems that none of the actors that are drafted in this plot want to pull it off. Maybe they could see that it was a mistake from the beginning filming began?????? If you want to watch a fantastic Carry On film, then give 'Cleo', 'Khyber' or 'Screaming' a view. THOSE are what Carry On films were all about!